What's new on ConsumerReports.org Find out what we're testing and when. Visit ConsumerReports.org to find information on the products and services you use every day...

What's New

October 2015 Share:

What's new on ConsumerReports.org Find out what we're testing and when. Visit ConsumerReports.org to find information on the products and services you use every day.  Lies, Secrets, and Scams: How to Prevent Elder Abuse Seniors are the predominant victims of impostor schemes, in which criminals pose as government officials or other authority figures and claim that money is owed. Seniors and their families lose billions of dollars each year to heartless fraudsters. The Federal Trade Commission says that fraud complaints to its offices by individuals 60 and older rose at least 47 percent between 2012 and 2014. Seniors are also hit hard by gambits involving prizes, sweepstakes, and gifts. Older people's vulnerabilities—including isolation, loneliness, generally trusting natures, relative wealth, and in some cases declining mental capabilities—make them ideal quarry for con artists. Learn how you can help a family member or a friend—or yourself.

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Making Sense of Volkswagen Dieselgate As Dieselgate continues to play out, our "Talking Cars With Consumer Reports" video podcast takes a look at the implications for consumers. An inevitable recall to make these vehicles compliant with emissions standards might have effects on the reliability, performance, and fuel economy of these cars, and there are questions about the potential diminished resale value because of TDI's tarnished reputation. The Truth About Tire Treadwear If your tires wear out quickly, your safety may be at risk. The amount of tread on a tire is critical in determining how well it will vacate water to maintain contact with the road in the rain. Our research tells us that when people shop for tires, their primary considerations are price, availability, and treadwear. Prices are easy to find. But until now, consumers had to rely on the government's treadwear ratings or mileage warranty claims from manufacturers—if available—to judge how well tires would wear. Avoid Medical Bill Sticker Shock Before Lisa Beach had surgery for severe back pain two years ago, she did everything she could think of to make sure she wouldn't have to pay a lot out of pocket. "I wanted to know the names of anyone who would have any kind of involvement in my surgery," she says. Then she ran the names by her insurance company to make sure the care would be covered. But it wasn't enough. How can you troubleshoot the increasingly tricky health insurance system? We pinpoint situations that can cause medical bill sticker shock.

8 Products on Deep Discount in October We track the prices of lots of products all year long, which means we can let you know which month (or, in some cases, months) you can find a deep discount on those items. In October, you'll find deep discounts on bicycles, computers, digital cameras, gas grills, lawn mowers and tractors, and much more. Best Blenders for $100 or Less We talk a lot about high-end blenders, mainly because they tend to perform best in our tests. But what if you can't shell out hundreds of dollars on this small appliance? Our Ratings of nearly 60 blenders includes several models that do the job for $100 or less. Here are three to consider. Production 2016 Tesla Model X Crossover Unveiled Tesla Motors has unveiled the much-anticipated Tesla Model X, the crossover iteration of its Model S with notable safety innovations and falcon-wing second-row doors. At an Apple-like event in California, Tesla founder and CEO Elon Musk also handed out keys to the first Model X owners.

New TiVo Bolt Seems Like a Binge-Watcher's Dream Love watching TV shows without commercials? Then you might be interested in the new TiVo Bolt, an all-in-one DVR with a mode that lets you zip through advertisements with the press of a button. Not only does it rocket you through commercials, it also has an innovative QuickMode, which the company claims whisks you through recorded shows up to 30 percent faster without causing any audio sync issues. Imagine watching a replay of the Academy Awards in less than three hours—without missing a word. Alternative Motion Machines in Action The 1960s saw the rise of the treadmill, the 1980s had stair steppers, and elliptical trainers emerged in the 1990s. All three machines have plenty of benefits, but also certain weaknesses—and where there's weakness, there's opportunity for manufacturers to create a better product. Enter the "alternative motion machine," a new type of cardio-pulmonary exercise equipment that supposedly borrows the best concepts from the treadmill, elliptical, and stair stepper for a revolutionary workout experience.

Except for one semester in college when jobs were scarce and a six-month period when I was between jobs, but job-hunting every day, I've worked, hard, since I was 18...

I'm Tired   

By Robert A. Hall       I'm 73    Except for one  semester in college when jobs were scarce and a  six-month period when I was between jobs, but  job-hunting every day, I've worked,  hard,   since I was 18.  Despite some health challenges, I still put in  50-hour weeks, and haven't called in sick in  seven or eight years. I make a good salary, but  I didn't inherit my job or my income, and I  worked to get where I am. Given the economy,  there's no retirement in sight, and I'm tired.  Very tired.       I'm tired of being told  that I have to "spread the wealth" to people who  don't have my work ethic. I'm tired of being  told the government w ill take the money I  earned, by force if necessary, and give it to  people too lazy to earn it.       I'm tired of being told  that Islam is a "Religion of Peace," when every  day I can read dozens of stories of Muslim men  killing their sisters, wives and daughters for  their family "honor"; of Muslims rioting over  some slight offense; of Muslims murdering  Christian and Jews because they aren't  "believers;" of Muslims burning schools for  girls; of Muslims stoning teenage rape victims  to death for "adultery;" of Muslims mutilating  the genitals of little girls; all in the name of  Allah, because the Qur'an and Shari???a law tells them to.       I'm tired of being told  that, out of "tolerance for other cultures," we  must let Saudi Arabia use our oil money to fund  mosques and mandrassa Islamic schools to preach  hate in America and Canada , while no American  nor Canadian group is allowed to fund a church,  synagogue or religious school in Saudi Arabia to  teach love and tolerance..       I'm tired of being told I  must lower my living standard to fight global  warming, which no one is allowed to debate.   I'm tired of being told  that drug addicts have a disease, and I must  help support and treat them, and pay for the  damage they do. Did a giant germ rush out of a  dark alley, grab them, and stuff white powder up  their noses while they tried to fight it off?       I'm tired of hearing  wealthy athletes, entertainers and politicians  of both parties talking about innocent mistakes,  stupid mistakes or youthful mistakes, when we  all know they think their only mistake was  getting caught. I'm tired of people with a sense  of entitlement, rich or poor.       I'm real tired of people who  don't take responsibility for their lives and  actions. I'm tired of hearing them blame the  government, or discrimination or big-whatever  for their problems.      Yes, I'm damn tired. But I'm also glad to  be 73.. Because, mostly, I'm not going to have  to see the world these people are making. I'm  just sorry for my granddaughters and grandson.      Robert A. Hall is a Marine Vietnam veteran who served  five terms in the Massachusetts State Senate.  There is no way this will be widely publicized, unless  each of us sends it on! This is your chance to make a difference.   "I'm 73 and I'm tired." If you don't forward this you  are part of the problem